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Doreen Maxwell, MFT

Certified Hakomi Therapist

Somatic Practices

Experiential and Somatic Psychotherapies, Marriage Counseling

Hakomi is a body-centered psychotherapy that utilizes Mindfulness in the service of studying and transforming core beliefs and the limiting patterns that arise from them. It also represents a strong belief in how the body, through movement, gesture, voice, etc., powerfully reflects psychological material. It’s experiential, mindfull, spontaneous and creative.

A synthesis of western psychology, eastern philosophy and practice, and some of the latest research in affective and developmental neurology, the Hakomi Method is highly effective with individuals, couples, families and groups. Hakomi has been effective in healing developmental, chronic traumatic patterns; addressing defensive habits that were once adaptive, but now limit the nourishment that life has to offer.

Suitable for crisis work, it finds its full potential, however, in the process of growth both personal and trans-personal, when we are fully committed to personal growth, either as an individual, or through marriage counseling.

"Hakomi is an excellent system for learning key emotionalintelligence skills"— Daniel Goleman, author of the bestseller Emotional Intelligence

Doreen is certified in Hakomi Experiential Therapy, and has studied with Kathy Kain, in her Somatic Practice, specializing in early developmental trauma.

Doreen Maxwell, MFT, CHT

"I would see you as my friend, that I may remember you are a part of me, and come to know myself." -A Course in Miracles

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Los Gatos, California. License #MFC41105. I offer psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, couples, children and groups. I supervise and admire the work of Sophie Marchand, MA, AMFT, Kathleen Graham, MA, AMFT, and Peter Cellarius, MA, AMFT.

Come see us for:

Trauma, Anxiety and Phobias including:

Generalized Anxiety and Chronic Worry

Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Phobias, including driving, being in elevators, airplanes, on bridges, etc.

Shyness and fears of social situations

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Eating Disorders

Relationships

Family of origin issues

Parenting, including blended families

Family issues based on stages-of-life changes

Couples therapy with heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

Divorce and custody issues

We also help clients:

Overcome depression and the feeling of being "stuck" or hopeless

Deal with change and loss related to career, relationships, or the passing of a loved one

If you are dissatisfied with your life, your state of mind, or your relationships, then you can do no better than to quiet the mind and explore your inner self. The simple act of attention leads to profound changes. We can help.

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

Why I really love my work

Continuing to work toward my own personal awareness feels meaningful, and because I am much more like my clients than different from them, I hear myself when I truly hear them. I practice loving-kindness and mindfulness in my psychotherapy practice. In these ways, my psychotherapy practice is a spiritual practice for me. I truly love witnessing growth and transformation in my clients, and feel honored to be in service.